I’m back from a great conference at Turning Stone Resort in New York for the NYSAEYC meeting. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet and work with this dedicated group of early childhood educators and their leaders!

I learned that NY has the largest state NAEYC affiliate in the US, and what an amazing group they are! During my keynote, they listened intently, laughed out loud, waved their hands, and sang in harmony. It was an inspiring and interactive time for all of us.

I am reminded that early childhood professionals are a great group of people who celebrate the capabilities of young children and work diligently to provide meaningful experiences every day.

Our breakout session focused on the Core of Literacy: oral language development. Young children are in a critical period of language development, and early childhood teachers can have a positive impact on this area of development by providing real experiences that are filled with interactive conversations.

Most early childhood teachers enjoy talking and sharing their ideas, but it is important to remember that conversations include listening to the children’s’ ideas and responding to them. Effective communication, one of the 4C’s skills for the 21st century, includes both expressing (talking) and receiving (listening) language.

Keep up the great work NYSAEYC! Together we can do great things for young children.

After a cold and gray winter, it is time to add new sparks of Spring in your classroom.

Begin group time by posing some divergent questions: “How do you know it is spring?”  “What could we bring into our classroom so show that spring is here?” “What do you like about Spring”.  Write down the children’s responses and display them on a colorful background in the classroom for everyone to see.

10 Springtime Classroom Additions

1. Plant a narcissus or hyacinth bulb in a small flower pot. Children can water and watch the leaves and flowers develop.  Both of these bulbs have wonderful smells so they will add a pleasant aroma to the space.
2. Bring a branch from a budding tree to observe and enjoy.  Keep in water and watch it bloom.
3. An abandoned bird’s nest can spark conversations about eggs, baby birds, and leaving the nest.  This can also lead to the children creating their own unique nest for a real or imagined bird.
4. Spring brings showers. Wear raincoats, ponchos, or carry umbrellas outside so the children can enjoy experience a spring shower.
5. With the increase in light from the sun, find ways to make light visible. Experiment with different materials, colors, and shapes.  Determine the best place to display the light catcher?
6. Grow grass in a plastic lined shallow plastic tray.  Fill with potting soil and cover with wet newspaper and sit it in a warm place until it sprouts.  After the grass gets tall it can be “mowed” with scissors.  This grass filled tray can become a place to play with small micro people figures, farm animals, or other related items.
7. Add long strips of colored, lightweight, translucent fabric to the climbing structures outside.  The light and wind will help the children see the effects of the changing light and observe the change in the wind.
8. In the Art Center, add floral wrapping paper, paper flowers, spring colored tissue paper, clear plastic shower curtain for painting, and branches that have fallen on the ground. These open-ended materials can add a spring touch to art projects.
9. Research and plant a tree that will grow on the grounds of your school.  To make the literacy connection read books about trees and make a sign with the names of the children who planted and watered your special tree. Be sure to take pictures of the event.
10. Using blue food coloring, transform the water table to inspire new exploration, pouring, or create floating items from scraps of wood, or foam.  The change of the color and different tools added to the table will encourage expanded experimentation, conversations, and conclusions.

These ideas will add new life to your classroom and inspire you to think of many variations that will demonstrate your creative thinking.

Nurture Creativity,

Rebecca

Four years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful person who had just arrived from the Philippines to study Early Childhood Education at my University. She was full of enthusiasm and so excited about all the learning possibilities that lay before her.  We hugged and connected in a powerful way. I was impressed that she had traveled so far in her search for learning. In her country, Ruth had been a pre-K teacher, director of a Center for Early Childhood Education, and was currently teaching professional education and early childhood courses in her college.

Ruth was my student in two of PhD classes in early childhood and in each she was an outstanding scholar.  She was a shining example of the kind of student that every professor dreams of having: hardworking, focused, always digging deeper, and a smile that constantly reflected her joy of learning.

Now that she has completed her degree, Dr. Ruth Facun-Granadozo will be returning to the Philippines to teach at Harris Memorial College. Throughout her studies she wanted to learn more about literacy instruction. When she returns home, she will share her knowledge with pre-service teachers as they learn about working with young children and with in-service early childhood educators as they continue to seek professional development.

Today I want you to celebrate with me this amazing woman, Dr. Ruth Facun-Granadozo.   She will inspire many teachers and children in the Philippines. She has inspired me too!

Read more about Ruth